Philosophy
- Have you ever felt completely lost, even though deep down you knew you weren’t? We all experience moments when we need to return to basics, to find solid ground beneath our feet. Today, I’d like to share a fundamental concept from Buddhist philosophy that has helped countless individuals find their way: The Three Jewels. Why Learn About the Three Jewels? I often encounter friends and colleagues who approach me with questions about meditation, typically when they’re already stressed or overwhelmed.
- In the vast expanse of the universe, patterns emerge that echo both in the heavens and on Earth. This concept, often encapsulated in the phrase “As above, so below,” suggests that the microcosm reflects the macrocosm, and vice versa. This idea isn’t just philosophical; it finds resonance in various fields, from spirituality to science. One of the most profound expressions of this concept comes from the Hermetic tradition. The Emerald Tablet, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, states: “That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing” (source).
- In July, I kept reading the amazing book “Talks on Agni.” by Torkom Saraydarian and I found this really interesting idea: “The Secret Doctrine says that an atom wants to become a person, and a person wants to become a god.” I’m still thinking about what this really means, but it keeps making me wonder. Maybe it explains why we always want to get better at things. This idea suggests that everything, from the tiniest bit to the biggest thing, wants to grow and improve.
- Today, we honor Mahatma Gandhi, also referred to as the “great soul,” whose teachings of non-violence, or “ahimsa,” altered the path of Indian history and had a global impact. We mourn the killing of Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi on January 30, the 78th anniversary of his death, and his conviction in nonviolent resistance and tolerance. Gandhi was crucial in helping to secure India’s independence, but his impact extended well beyond that, as he ignited a global movement for nonviolent means of achieving justice and peace.
- “If your entire happiness depends on what someone else does, I think you have a problem,” writes Richard Bach in his wonderful “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”. If we stop to reflect on what our happiness depends on, we’d likely discover that it’s not entirely up to us. True, we now know that we play a very important role in the game of joy; however, we reach a point where we feel limited by the actions and relationships of those around us (spouse, friends, colleagues, children…) waiting for something external to intervene and change our mood.
- “Life is like an echo! when you give something, it comes back to you many, many times.” ― Master Choa Kok Sui, Achieve the Impossible It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment, but one thing is clear: understanding the law of Karma sooner would have saved me from many struggles. Knowing about it for years, it was only when I truly grasped its power and daily significance that my life changed for the better.
- I am publicly posting this (slightly adapted) message that I have shared with the TSG Ashram Group this month. Recent events in the Middle East and other global crises have really struck a chord with me. As I ponder potential solutions, I came across a quote that resonated, found in “Challenge for Discipleship” by Torkom Saraydarian (page 36). “In cooperation, one slowly learns to understand the values of others and to adjust oneself to others in such a way that they and others become more productive.
- Se tu comprendessi quanta pace daresti a te stesso e quanta gioia procureresti agli altri, e vivendo una vita dedita al bene, sono certo che saresti più sollecito nel tendere al tuo profitto spirituale. Tommaso da Kempis
- I am reading “Ashtanga Yoga “ by Gregor Maehle. Very well written, a must for approaching or understanding Ashtanga Yoga. Detailed in both the practice (asanas and sequences) and the history and philosophy of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. It is developed in four parts: Fundamentals: Breathing, Bandhas, Drishti, Vinyasa Asanas: the primary series (with pictures and illustrations) The history and lineage of Yoga Philosophy: the Yoga Sutras The edition I am reading is Italian:
- It is the beginning of every project: again, the first post is an auspicious greeting! Obvious but still effective quote: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. (Lao Tzu)